Improvement in potato-diggers



' Patented Nov. 28,

r3" .orfss/ MGSES 10H NSON lmprovement in Potato Diggers.

PATENT OFFICE.

MOSES JOHNSON, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN POTATO-DIGGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,37 9, datedNovember 28, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,.MosEs JOHNSON, of Three Rivers, in the county of St.Joseph and State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuableImprovement in Potato-Diggers, and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and eX- act description of the constructionand operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawingmaking a part of this specification, and to the letters and Vfigures ofreference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is an under-side plan view of my invention. Fig.2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe improvedseparator.

This invention has relation to certain improvements on the potato-diggerfor which I received Letters Patent dated May 17, 1870, No. 103,194; andthe novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of the n geredwheel, scrapers, separator, and frame, as and for the purposehereinafter described.

In the annexed drawing, Arepresents a triangular frame, so formed inorder to give plenty of room to the vines 'and other obstructions. Brepresents the separator. It is in the nature of a plow, having inclinedsides and tapering to a point. The sides of the separator extend backwithout-any lateral curve whatever, so as to merely open and slightlyraise the potato-hills,

leaving it tipped upon each side to admit the fingers of theparting-wheel. The separator is `constructed in three parts, the twosides b b bolted togetlier by angle-irons b b and supported to p theframe A by side bars and braces b b, and the cast-iron point B securedin place by bolted plate d, and capable of being replaced when worn anduseless. VO designates the parting-wheel, at-

periphery of a square form, adapted to receive the square fingers E,which are held in their places rigidly 'by means of a metal tie, F. Thesolidity of this wheel prevents the vines from falling through andbecoming entangled in spokes, and at the same time forms a strongsubstantial bed for the fingers E. The shape and arrangement of theiingers are clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawin g, being bent wherethey pass through the wheel, thence diverging, and are designed toloosen the earth, so as to bring the potatoes to the surface and laythem on either side of the wheel without throwing them oii' too far. Gdesignates guards on either side of the partingwheel, designed to keepthe parted earth close up to the wheelsjsoY as to prevent too muchscattering. H denotes scrapers, consisting of L- shaped metal platesattached to the rear of the frame A, and embracing the ngers in such amanner as to release from them any vines which they may happen to takeup as the wheel rotates.

I claim as my invention- 1. The separator B, composed ofthe side piecesb united by angle-irons b b', and the separable point B secured by meansof plates d, said separator having its sides tapering and withoutlateral curve, and employed in connection with a fingered wheel,substantially as specified.

2. The wheel O, constructed with a circulaiimperforate dividing-wallextending from the periphery to or nearly to the hub or center, andprovided with the bent gathering-fingers, substantially as specified.

In testimonythat I claim the above Ihave hereunto subscribed my name inthe presence of two witnesses.

MOSES JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

E. H. LoTHnoP,

CLARENCE E. WILBUE. (114.)

